A Purpose to My Madness

At the risk of sounding like I'm giving a sermon, I want to share a revelation that struck me this week. I came across a verse today at 6am in the morning (I've decided my only hope of consistent Bible study is to get up early)that put some perpective on the bike tour. II Corinthians 9:13 says, "Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God..." It struck me that I tout the purpose of me riding in the Sea to Sea Bike Tour is to help those stuck in povetty and to raise awareness of their plight and our ability and responsibility to help. While this is true, the ultimate purpose is to bring praise to God! I can only do this as a participant if my motivation comes from thankfulness for the grace God has given me - many blessings and eternal life. I pray this bigger goal will stay with me even after the bike tour. I give those of you who know me permission to bob me over the head (yes, I am hard-headed) with this truth on a regular basis.

On the lighter side, I want you to know that Sandy and I were riding together Sunday and we were serenaded by a bunch of high school boys in a car with whistles and "Hey babes" remarks. Sandy at least had the semblance of mind to offer the comeback, "We're old enough to be your mother." Not exactly the phrase to make us women in our late 30's and early 40's feel like we have the gumption to ride a bike 800 miles. Maybe something like, "In your dreams." or "Do you want to race?" would have made me feel more like a teenager again. Despite knowing we should be appauled by such blatant sexism, the cat calls actually spurred both Sandy and I on to ride another 100 miles - just kidding, but we did finish up our 18 mile ride with smiles on.